Michelle Benavidez is doing a lot of walking these days. And she wouldn't have it any other way.

"I want him to be as proud of us as we were of him," she said.

In 2008, Benavidez lost her son in Iraq. Staff Sergeant
Kennith Mayne was 29 years old when he was killed by a bomb.

Now, some 4 years later, Michelle and her husband Dan
are walking from Colorado to Marseilles, Illinois to honor their son and to see his name, which is etched on the Mideast Conflict War Memorial.

"My son, he loved life, he loved his country," Michelle told said as she was walking across Nebraska Friday, on her way to her final destination in Illinois.

Michelle, who is walking with other friends as well and has a pace car following her for safety, hopes her journey will raise awareness for soldiers returning home, suffering from traumatic brain injuries and PTSD.

Her 1000 mile long walk is also to raise funds for American Military Family.org, which helps military families with financial assistance and emotional support during challenging times.

"I want him to be as proud of us as we were of him," said Michelle.